Punching Handle V.1

ABSTRACT

This invention is a handle meant to be mounted on the end of a barbell that is standing on its opposite end and pressed out and up from the shoulder at a forty-five degree angle. The handle turns to allow the user to rotate their hand from the vertical to horizontal position which mimics the action of throwing a punch. This rotation can also be performed against resistance provided by internal structures in the handle to further strength the arm through the range of motion of a punch. The purpose of this handle is to take a common strength training exercise and improve the effects and carry over for athletes or users who are interested in developing more powerful punches.

BACKGROUND

Boxers and weight trainers all around the world use a ‘landmine press’ or ‘jammer’ to build shoulder and triceps strength to increase their punching power. Traditionally the jammer has been performed as follows: One end of a barbell is positioned in a ‘landmine lever’ or braced against a wall. The other end of the bar is loaded with the selected amount of weight. A retainer clip may or may not be positioned on the end of the bar to prevent the selected weights from falling off the bar. The athlete stands to one side of the loaded end of a barbell. The athlete lifts the end of the barbell to shoulder height holding the handle with a neutral grip and with feet apart. The leg on the same side as the loaded hand is typically back and the opposite leg is forward and bent. The weighted bar is then pressed forward until the hand is fully extended and the arm is straight. The handle is then returned to the starting position. The entire motion is then repeated the desired number of times.

This is a great exercise however there is one major flaw: the final ‘turn over’ of a first during a punch is the most important aspect of delivering a powerful blow. The grip on the end of the handle in traditional jammers prevents the athlete from rotating the wrist during the movement.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to correct this by providing a handle assembly which connects to the weighted end of the barbell and allows the user to rotate the wrist while driving the weight. The rotation allows the user to move the handle upwards and forwards while pronating the hand so that at the end of the movement the arm is locked with the palm facing down. To reverse the movement the handle is brought back to the shoulder while the hand is turned back to the neutral (starting) position.

The present disclosure thus allows the trainee to get all of the strengthening benefits associated with turning the wrist during the motion, thereby practicing a motor pattern more closely resembling the throwing of a punch. In addition to the resistance provided by the weight of the barbell the rotation of the handle within the assembly may also be resisted, providing additional benefits.

The disclosed assemblies are thus configured for attachment to the end of a barbell and allow the user to grip a handle and rotate their hand over the range of motion of the movement in a manner similar to throwing a punch. The assembly may also include resistance against the turning of the hand to reinforce both the muscles and motor pattern responsible for this movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatus of the present specification. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a handle assembly made in accordance with the present specification; and

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another handle assembly made in accordance with the present specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary implementations of the assembly are shown in the attached figures. FIG. 1 shows a handle assembly 200 without any visible means of rotational resistance. FIG. 2 shows handle assembly 100 with an exemplary method of resisting rotational movement.

The assembly 200 includes a collar portion 205 which is configured to accept the end of a barbell. The collar assembly may also include means for securing the collar to the end of a barbell. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a hole defined in the wall of the collar 205. The hole defined in the wall of the collar 205 may be a threaded hole configured to receive a screw which can engage the barbell when the barbell is inserted within the collar.

The assembly further includes a frame portion 207 supporting a handle 202 and within which handle 202 may rotate. The handle may comprise a grip portion affixed to the inside a round disc. The handle 202 may rotate within a track defined within the frame portion 207. Alternatively the handle 202 may be sandwiched between two sides of the frame portion 207. The frame portion 207 is connected to the collar 205. The frame portion 207 may be rigidly connected to the collar 205 via one or more struts 206. In one example, the collar, frame portion and struts are all metal and they are welded together. In another embodiment, not pictured, the frame portion 207 may be rotationally connected to the collar 205, allowing an additional degree of freedom on the motion of the assembly 200.

Handle assembly 100, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a collar 105, handle 102 and frame portion 107 which may be similar to the collar 205, handle 202 and frame portion 207 of FIG. 1. The assembly 100 further includes a resistance band, 101, which is configured to resist the rotation of the handle 102. Resistance band 101 may be made of rubber or other elastic material which adds resistance when lengthened. In another embodiment, assembly 100 may include a plurality of bands configured to provide additional resistance and one or more hooks 108, and may be attached to the frame portion via one or more attachment points 103. The resistance band may be removably connected to one or more hooks 108 and one or more attachment points 103, allowing for bands to be replaced with other bands of varying resistance. Frame portion 107 may include one or more protrusions 104 which may assist the positioning of the resistance band during the movement.

As the handle 102 is rotated, the resistance band 101 is stretched. This adds resistance against further movement of the handle 102, and thus resisting the pronation of the hand of the user. This allows the user to more closely mimic the action of throwing a punch and develop greater punching power than with a rigid and non-resisted handle.

While the assembly shown in FIG. 2 indicates that the resistance bands are located on the outside of the assembly in other embodiments the resistance band may be located between two sides of the frame assembly. In other embodiments the resistance could be provided by an alternate mechanism, for example such an embodiment could include a spring resistance system.

While the assembly is described as including a collar portion defining a screw hole for securing the collar to the end of the barbell other attachment mechanisms may be used. For example the collar assembly may include a clamping system.

The handle may be configured to rotate through an appropriate range of motion. In one example, the handle rotates at least 90 degrees in either direction from the starting position. This rotation may be resisted for additional muscular and neurological benefit. While the example of FIG. 2 indicates the resistance may be provided via one or more elastic bands, other resistance methods are contemplated. For example, resistance may be provided using coil springs (such as a compression coil spring and/or a tension coil spring) gears, friction, magnets or other appropriate resistance mechanism. The resistance may be adjustable, such as by swapping bands/springs for others with more or less resistance, by increasing friction, etc. The unit may be constructed from any material capable of supporting the forces generated by the movement. 

1. A handle assembly compromising a handhold coupled to a collar, the collar defining an aperture therein for receiving the end of a barbell.
 2. The handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the handhold is configured to rotate at least 90 degrees.
 3. The handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the handhold is further configured to resist rotation in at least a first direction.
 4. The handle assembly of claim 3 further compromising one or more elastic bands connected to the handhold and to the assembly to resist rotation of the handhold in at least a first direction.
 5. The handle assembly of claim 3 further compromising one or more springs connected to the handhold and to the handle assembly to resist rotation of the handhold in at least a first direction.
 6. A handle for attachment to a barbell, compromising a body, a handhold and a collar, wherein: the collar is configured to releasably connect to an end of a barbell; and the handhold is rotatably disposed within the handle; the handhold configured to rotate along an axis perpendicular to an axis defined through the center of the collar. 